Message of His Excellency, Donald Ramotar on the occasion of International Women’s Day 2015
I am proud to celebrate “International Women’s Day 2015″ and the many accomplishments of the women of Guyana. Few countries in the world can boast of a former female President, Vice President, Chief Justice and a Chancellor of the Judiciary, and first female Judge at the Caribbean Court of Justice. Our nation has a rich history of strong women, who have helped shape Guyana.
These women, who have come from all races, political parties and regions of this country show what we as one nation can accomplish, if we work together.
Today, we remember Kowsilla (Alice), who was killed, while struggling for better wages for women. We remember the struggle for Universal Adult Suffrage, and the women who led the fight. Let us not forget Janet Jagan, who fought for the development of women in our society and their empowerment. We proudly recognize the contributions of tens of thousands of Guyanese women, who are our caregivers, who make our villages safer and our families stronger.
I am proud of my administration’s efforts and my commitment to ensuring that there be gender equality for all women in Guyana. Asking Ambassador Elisabeth Harper to run with me and serve as Prime Minister is a testament to my continued commitment and the PPP/C’s commitment to further our efforts, at addressing issues impacting Guyana’s women. Our laws, regarding equality for women and protection for women against violence and discrimination have been internationally recognised. We have created an environment, where single parent women can thrive in small businesses, through a micro credit programme called WOW, Women of Worth. We are pleased that we have expanded legal aid services, where now, women in most regions of the country, can have access to justice. Today, Guyana has attained gender parity in education at our schools.
Women have achieved equity in professional life.
I will continue my strong commitment to eradicating domestic violence. Domestic violence and sexual abuse of women and girls in our country are major impediments towards attaining higher development for Guyana. Under the PPP/C government, there are strong domestic and sexual abuse laws to protect women and girls. One of the reasons that I chose Lis Harper to be my Prime Ministerial candidate is that I believe that we need to redouble our efforts in tackling this scourge on our society. I hoped, by highlighting her own personal story, detailing her own abuse, more women will have the courage to step up and say something. And by making it a focal point of her campaign and her work over the next five years, we can shine a light and begin to eradicate this scourge from our society.
International Women’s Day is a day for celebration throughout Guyana, and a day to recognise all that women have done, to create a stronger, safer and stable Guyana. But we also must use this day to remember all that we still must do, to build on the advances Guyana has made for equality for all women. The path to equality for all never ends, and we have travelled far up the path, but I promise, that we as a nation will never stop moving forward on that path.
MESSAGE OF MADAME DEOLATCHMEE RAMOTAR, FIRST LADY OF GUYANA
I wish to join with the women all around the world but especially those in Guyana who are today celebrating yet another International Women’s Day.
Over the past century, women have continued to make strides in all facets of human endeavour and in most countries of the world. Guyana is no exception to this trend.
Guyanese women continue to elevate and distinguish themselves in our country’s political, social and economic life. They continue to make an immeasurable and invaluable contribution both in and outside of the home. I extend best wishes to these heroines and I hope that on this day that due recognition would be given to their efforts.
I am however mindful of the fact that despite the impressive gains made by women internationally and locally there remains many challenges that hinder the potential and full development of women and the safeguarding of their dignity. It is my hope that on this International Women’s Day there would be a dispassionate examination of these challenges which confront women in their quest for greater equality and respect in society.
I believe that such an examination will help to highlight the many hurdles that women face and will allow for more focused and nuanced strategies to be developed so to help our women overcome the obstacles they face.
As we therefore celebrate the tremendous strides made by our women, as we hail their bravery and courage, as we celebrate their achievements and respect their choices, let us also recognize that there remains much work to be done in the advancement of equal rights and increased dignity for our women.
On this special day dedicated to the women of the world, let us join hands in saluting their achievements. Let us also join hearts in our continued pursuit of their equality and betterment for all women worldwide.
People’s Progressive Party PPP
The People’s Progressive Party (PPP) salutes our women on the occasion of International Women’s Day. This day is a good time to reflect how far we have advanced as a country in terms of empowering our women to take their rightful place in society.
Today we have women who have attained high levels of recognition in a variety of professions which in the past were dominated by men. These included engineering, medicine, law and the teaching and nursing professions, the latter two now dominated by women.
Females now outnumber men by a significant margin at the University of Guyana and other tertiary institutions, an indication how far we have advanced in terms of gender equality and equality of opportunity for our women.
At the legislative level much progress has been made in terms of addressing the burning issue of domestic abuse and sexual harassment. The establishment of the National Commission of Women has further placed the issue of women on the front burner of our national agenda.
As we observe yet another International Women’s Day, let us pay tribute to all those women who have contributed to the economic, social, political and cultural development of this beautiful country of ours.
Let us spare a thought for our former President Mrs. Janet Jagan who passed away on March 28. Guyana owes her a debt of gratitude for the sterling contribution she has made in raising the political awareness of women in Guyana.
The PPP is proud of our women who continue to be the driving force behind our economic and social progress. Long live our women!
MESSAGE FROM THE NATIONAL CONGRESS OF WOMEN (NCW)
The National Congress of Women (NCW), the women’s arm of the People’s National Congress Reform, salutes all women in Guyana and throughout the world as we observe International Women’s Day (IWD) 2015, on Sunday March 8, 2015.
As we think of International Women’s Day 2015, we must remember that this day has been observed since in the early 1900’s when there was great unrest and critical debate occurring amongst women. Women’s oppression and inequality spurred them to become more vocal and active in campaigning for change. It was Clara Zetkin and those women in Germany who initiated the observance of this day.
On International Women’s day 2015, we salute all our Guyanese women, among them those stalwarts of the PNC Women’s Auxiliary and the WRSM, the forerunners of our organisation, who worked hard for the advancement of the women of our organisation and Guyana as a whole.
The new millennium has witnessed a significant change and attitudinal shift in both women’s and society’s thoughts about women’s equality and emancipation. With more women in the boardroom, greater equality in legislative rights, and an increased critical mass of women’s visibility as impressive role models in every aspect of life, one could think that women have gained true equality. The unfortunate fact is that women are still not paid equally to that of their male counterparts, women are still not present in equal numbers in business or politics, and globally women’s education, health and the violence against them is worse than that of men.
As we observe International Women’s day 2015, the National Congress of Women reminds all that we are in an election mode, as May 11 2015 will be the General and Regional Elections in Guyana.. The NCW is promoting “Women for National Unity” and we remind our Guyanese sisters, whether we are coalition partners or well-wishers, that we all have a duty to ensure that we can make the change for a better life, by voting APNU+AFC on Elections Day.
Guyana Trades Union Congress-Women’s Advisory Council
The Women’s Advisory Council of the Guyana Trades Union Congress recognizes the contributions made to Guyana’s development and the role of women in this regard. We recognize that despite their myriad contributions in home, office, field and factory and in our political sphere that there remain among the unsung.
Today we honor their contributions and we credit them with being the backbone of development. This year’s theme “Make it happen” focuses our attention on the fact that there is far more to be achieved and far more ability that remains untapped.
We therefore have to release the barriers that limit the potentials and achievements of our women and girls. We must do this in every sphere of life and human endeavor, be it economic, cultural, social and political. We must ensure equal pay. There must ensure equal opportunity, equal gains.
This concept of equality of our women and girls must not be limited to the work environment. It must start as a process of socialization from birth, so that in transitioning to adulthood the young girl would know and accept a role in society that is not limited by anyone, system or structures. We must “Make it happen.”
There is no longer a place in society for women to accept any role where they cannot freely function, to do and not be recognized, or to be seen and not heard. It is for society, for all of us to “Make it happen” through education, socialization, laws and public policy. Happy Women’s Day!
Blue CAPS
As we celebrate womanhood, let us not only think about our roles as child bearers, home makers and our nature to nurture but let’s also recognize our strengths as friends, wives, teachers, doctors, nurses, law enforcers, magistrates, judges, politicians, engineers, entrepreneurs and the many other roles where we have broken barriers and shattered the expectations of what we can and cannot do.
We are women of faith, women of courage, women of action and women of strength. More and more speaking up for the things we believe in and advocating for; what’s right, fair and just. On this day we must not forget the women of our past who have paved the way with passion and resilience for our present. These women believed yesterday as we do today in the value of people and understood the importance of compassion, integrity and vulnerability; knowing that love is not weakness but that it carries the strength and power to heal the world.
Let us work together on a united front to bring an end to the issues affecting women especially; human trafficking, domestic violence, breast and cervical cancer, sexual harassment, and discrimination in the workplace. Together we can and will accomplish great things as we have done before. Let us stand in our numbers with one voice across the nation in the old fashion way of rolling up our sleeves and getting elbow deep for the sake of our land.
In recognition and celebration of womanhood on International Women’s Day, the Board of Directors and members of Blue C.A.P.S. take this opportunity to salute the women of Guyana and offer warm words of congratulations and encouragement on your accomplishments and future endeavors. Let us continue to work together and do our part for a prosperous, united and equal Guyana.
